The Potential of Non-invasive Samples for Genetic Studies

Recent advances in molecular genetics have increased the feasibility of non-invasive sampling. The use of materials such as dung or hair can help overcome sampling constraints which limit the application of genetic analyses, especially where endangered, rare or cryptic fauna are concerned. However, the relative low quality and quantity of DNA contained in such extracts poses a risk. Genotyping errors, principally allelic dropout and false alleles, can lead to a serious distortion of biological inferences, raising questions over the validity of conducting reliable genetic studies based solely on non-invasive samples. The author, Kristina Salzer, gives an overview of the potential for and limitations of non-invasive sampling approaches. Using dung samples from alpine ibex as an example, she demonstrates how a reliable and efficient genetic study can be conducted through the establishment of appropriate molecular genetic protocols. She presents a method for the identification of the species of defecator and a way to exclude those samples that do not match the requirements for reliable geno-typic analysis. This book is aimed at wildlife biologists interested in using non-invasive sampling techniques for population genetic studies.